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Hometalk is where people share and help with everything home & garden

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Walter Reeves
Walter Reeves Decatur, GA
Like 25 Clip 14
Cleaning & Organization Gardening

Crusty White Stuff on Pots

You may notice a dried white powder on the outside of your clay pots. This is called efflorescence.

This powdery material is the remains of fertilizer or minerals in the potting soil inside the pot. Water wicks through the clay pot wall and the minerals dissolved in it dry on the outer surface.

The white stuff is composed of calcium, magnesium, sulphate, nitrate, phosphate and ammonium salts.

Simply soak the pot for an hour in a bucket of water and scrub off the white powder.

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on Jun 05, 2012 | 5738 Views
14 Comments
  • Miriam I New York, NY
    This is very good to know. Thank you, Walter!
    on Jun 06, 2012 · Like 2
  • Bernice H Yakima, WA
    Hey Walter..thanks for the info. I have this white stuff on the TOP of my terra cotta pot, is this the same thing? I am assuming it is not harmful to the plant. Mine has been this way for years. I am thinking maybe .....I didnt soak my pot before I planted? Not the same thing tho , right?
    on Jun 06, 2012 · Like 0
  • Karen W Coeburn, VA
    will it harm new plants if not totally cleaned off?
    on Jun 07, 2012 · Like 2
  • Pat S Greenfield, MA
    Sometimes if it's thick you need to scrape a bit carefully with a knife or use a little sandpaper.
    on Jun 07, 2012 · Like 1
  • Fargo Painting, LLC Phoenix, AZ
    Walter is absolutely correct. I am a paint contractor (Fargo Painting, LLC) in Phoenix, AZ. I see efflorescence often. Even though we are in the desert, when there is moisture (especially in the winter), these salts, minerals, etc. are left behind after the moisture has past through the particular surface. In some more stubborn cases, a water / vinegar solution can be of aid.
    on Jun 07, 2012 · Like 3
  • Melissa K Blythewood, SC
    Thanks!
    on Jun 07, 2012 · Like 1
  • Ladena S Ava, MO
    Yeah really thanks was wondering what that was. I thought it was some kind of mold.
    on Jun 07, 2012 · Like 1
  • Gail Gainesville, GA
    I was trying to get some of that off one of my pots last week...did not soak, but ended up washing and scrubbing the best I could...then decided that it was good enough. Anyone know if it is bad for your plants? I assume not since this is stuff from the soil and fertilizer...but would like to know from someone who knows... Thanks...
    on Jun 08, 2012 · Like 0
  • Leida R Tampa, FL
    Walter, I always wondered about this myself. GREAT INFORMATION!!!
    on Jun 08, 2012 · Like 0
  • Melanie P Exeter, CA
    i thank you too walter!
    on Jun 08, 2012 · Like 0
  • Betty W Shelbyville, KY
    Vinegar might help.
    on Jun 08, 2012 · Like 1
  • All Things Heart and Home Marietta, GA
    So happy to see you on HomeTalk! I listen to you every Saturday on WSB! Thank you for the info on the terracotta pots!
    on Apr 23, 2013 · Like 0
  • Irma Trenton, MI
    Good to know, thanks!
    on Apr 25, 2013 · Like 0
  • Kathleen Conod-Jenkins Umatilla, FL
    Seems I read that WD40 takes the stubborn stuff off.
    on Apr 28, 2013 · Like 0

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